The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-08
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BRANDY STATION.
The story Of the Fight Told by Vermont oasal-
Fyman.

rymaR.
EDIToR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Brandy Sta
tion seems to be the fav0rite theme of several
OF the comrades, but so lar have not see any
account that agrees with the affair from my
point of view, The history OF the Army o. the
Potomac il familiar TO all. IL WAS up and NJ
them, boys and away we would 80 mp the
Virginia Valley; then halt make coffee, and
stop awhile; then up aud they al as, and We
would make tracks back the same way we
came ii was during one Of those back track
actions that the fight at Brandy Station &C.
CURED, Oct. IL, 1863.
portion OF the Army OF the Potomac had
been camping near Culpeper. Va. kilpltrick's
Division Of Cavalry was picketing lew miles
IN front of the army at that point For sew
eral days a movement of the enemy WAS no
ticed by MS. The evening of Oct. 10 every
thing with us was made ready for move.
Early in the morning of the nth the entire
division was mounted and placed IN position.
The army of Gen Lee was advancing and the
idea OF the rank and file seemed 10 be THAI
battle would Doe fought near Cnlpcper ] was
detailed ia command Of telegraph picket.
Nv instructions were 20 place men on the hugh
points 80 they could readily see the enemy.
The last yidet was placed near Gen. kilpdt-
rick's headquarters. The men on videt were
instructed 10 keep sharp lookout tor the enemy
and as soon as the outside man them APP
Gle; ms they advanced 20 increase his speed 70
q trot, and 50 on TO a pallop and then fell back
30 the next videt. Each man was IL make the
same movement his c0mrade la front did, 80
that nc headquarters they could tell just how
near the enemy WIS.
To pass away the time some Of Gen. kiipat-
rick stat officers aud others proposed horse
race. No sooner said than done" A iud se
was chosen, and a mile was marked of down
the road leading to tie advancing enemy. The
bets were made, tie money put up and the
word Co given Gen. kilpatrcks horse,
"Spot." was one OF the racers Away went the
horses on the jump. Ii looked like a charge
on the enemy, aud ] have no doubt they
thought il was for moment. as they were ina
plain sight and not over two miles away. The
mile post reached a stop was made, aud all re-
turned and decided that Spot" had won the
race.
Not many minutes after this we formed in
line of battle, exchanged few shots. aud then
slowly began falling back. Atevery good posi-
tiou we would halt and face about the artil-
lery take position and open the advancing
enemy. Sometimes we would hold our posi-
tiOn awhile and again retire with few shots.
After passing through Culpeper il seemed as
AZ the enemy had no desire 10 drive us.
We held position here some time, with now
and then little artillery practice We
thought surely the next rise we would meet
our infantry, and then the work OF death would
begin. Up 10 this time we thought our digis-
lon of cavalry was doing grand work. hold
ing in check a very much larger body Of in
fantry. Little did we dream Of the trap they
were slowly sprinGing on u.s.
Now we bear artillery firing on our left flank
and rear" Warren at Bristoe." A light be-
gins TO dawn on us. The enemy advances in
force, and We begin 20 fall back, keeping our
line of battle, only facing the rear Listen
Artillery firing on our right flank and
rear, and not so very distant IL is Gregg
and Buiord near Brandy Station. shadow
passes over the faces of laughing joking sol
dies Tie enemy In our front begins TO press
us. We are making quite lively time nova
good fast walk but NO panic, every troop in
perfect order, but anxious
short distance. aud directly In our road
we see column of calvary In line is that the
enemyY look through glass quickly decides
yes. hear the whisper running through the
ranks 'Cut Of" Yes, Il is too true we are cut Oft
IL seems for moment as II q stampede wcns
unavoidable. But we hear the voice of Gen
Kilpstrick giving orders: Form squadron
fORrsi Battery In center. LIST VT. right
flank take position across the railroad"
Gen. Fitzpatrick places himself at the head O
the division, his headquarters band behind him
he orders il 10 play Yankee Doodle" Their
the order, Draw saber-Forward %
We are nearing Brandy Station. On on
right, not q mile away, we see artillery ans
infantry coming into position on the run. Nov
we see a white puff Of smoke and a shell come
crashing into our ranks, quickly followed b.
Others. Thicker and faster they come. eyer
one bringing death 10 horses and men. We oal
DO nothing but watch the smoke and dodge
We are on the trot, and feel more interest Il
The force that Is now trying 10 head us OF il
our front
heAre near the cavalry line. "Opeu center
Artillery, ire!" Hal johnny, take that
" forward-Charge
On sweeps the division, the enemy's cavalr,
Ar broken, we pass through aud quickly form
and face about. The enemys cavalry charg
N. and We meet IL with coumteT-charge Bacl
hgain, then charge over aud over
All the time until now the enemy's batterie
on our hank have been Smelling us with fright
ful effect We are now out OF their range
Alter charges and cOnuterscharges we do DO
yet know whether we are out OF the trap o
not We are badly scattered aud cut up, We
we form and hold our ground when an Al
comes dashing up aud says, BuiOrd holds d
next hin"
Then we give one glad hurrah. Anofhe
charge, aud we arc ordered TO fall back
when we cross the kappahannOck River aud z
into camp Here we give a glad blessing 0
Gems Bui0rd aud Gregg aud their gallant divis
Ions i0r the stubborn fight they maintaine,
during The day. holding the enemy's iufautr
An cheek 50 Il could not get up IN time 10 bag
our division, as WAS intoudcd.-S A. Glars
Lieutenant, co. ~ lst VT Cav, uolabird ID 4
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